Design Assistant
Design the future of adventure-ready apparel! Join Royal Robbins as a Design Assistant and help bring sustainable, outdoor-inspired collections to life from concept to basecamp.
Location: Berkeley
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $25.48-$29.33 per hour (approx. $53,000-$61,000 annually)
At Royal Robbins, our story began in Yosemite, where Royal and Liz Robbins created clothes built for life at basecamp – durable, versatile, and ready for wherever the trail leads. We still carry that spirit today, crafting gear for adventurers, climbers, and seekers who gather around the fire after a long day outdoors.
As a Design Assistant, you’ll support the creative engine behind our collections, bringing concept to life through detail, organization, and cross-functional collaboration. This is your opportunity to grow within a purpose-driven brand that values curiosity, sustainability, and thoughtful design.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Design Execution & Support
- Assist the Design Manager across seasonal collections, ensuring cohesion in color, print, and fabrication
- Prepare and manage technical flats and detailed CADs in Adobe Illustrator (using Artboards, Layers, and Symbols)
- Support the development of seasonal palettes and swatch libraries, including physical color tools
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Maintain accurate Visual Line Plans for seasonal presentations and sales tools
- Build and update seasonal BOMs in PLM (Centric) and communicate changes directly with factories
- Attend fittings and follow up on sketch revisions, BOM updates, and mill sheet accuracy
- Partner closely with Product Line Management, Tech Design, Development, Marketing, and Sales
Trend Research & Presentation
- Monitor trends and competitor offerings through online research and local market visits
- Create professional-level digital and physical presentations for key design milestones
- Support the team in preparing seasonal workbooks and visual tools for sales meetings
Organizational Excellence
- Own and maintain sample libraries and digital asset organization
- Participate in meetings, track project deadlines, and proactively seek process improvements
- Support the design team during seasonal Sales Meetings (travel may be required)
WHAT YOU BRING
- At least one year of experience in apparel design or internships in a related field
- Degree in Fashion or Product Design, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through
- Working knowledge of garment construction, textiles, and PLM (Centric preferred)
- Clear communication and collaboration skills, both in-person and on digital platforms
- Ability to prioritize tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
Preferred (but not required):
- Experience in Photoshop and Aquario/Nedgraphics
- Experience with Clo3D
- Passion for outdoor adventure and sustainability
- Background in the outdoor or performance apparel industry
WHAT WE OFFER
- A stimulating work environment with passionate, enthusiastic co-workers
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth that will elevate your career
- A company that treasures sustainability and acts to create future stewards of nature
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Critical Illness, Accident
- 401k with generous company match
- Generous schedule of company-paid holidays
- Product discounts on all Fenix Outdoor brands
- Industry discounts and more…
ABOUT US
Born in Basecamp.
Royal Robbins was founded in Yosemite Valley in 1968 by pioneering climbers Royal and Liz Robbins. Today, we continue to create versatile, responsibly made clothing for people who seek inspiration in the outdoors, from crag to café, summit to city street. Our garments are made to last, using sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled fibers, because we believe every adventure starts and ends in basecamp.
Ready to help bring Royal Robbins collections to life?
Apply online now and take your next step in a brand that’s built for movement, meaning, and modern adventure.
Fenix Outdoor is committed to continually striving to create and promote a diverse and inclusive workplace for all employees. We provide equal employment opportunities. Our goal is to create a safe, fair and friendly work environment where everyone feels welcome and can thrive.
- Department
- Product Design & Development
- Locations
- Berkeley
About Royal Robbins
At Royal Robbins, we design versatile clothing for every way you experience the outdoors. Founded in 1968 by Royal Robbins—one of the world’s most influential climbers—and his wife Liz, the first woman to climb Half Dome, our company is built on a foundation of adventure and respect for the natural world. Their shared passion for climbing, their role in leading the “clean climbing” movement, and their deep connection to Yosemite’s Camp 4 shaped the brand’s core values.
Since day one, our goal has been to create functional, durable, and stylish products with a mindful commitment to minimizing our impact on the planet. We prioritize sourcing lower-impact materials, ensuring all-day comfort, and offering timeless styles inspired by our Northern California home.
“We need adventure. It’s in our blood. It will not go away. The mountains will continue to call because they uniquely fulfill our need for communion with nature, as well as hunger for adventure.”
-Royal Robbins